Cleveland adds Green, remains unfazed by last season

Saturday

Jul 8, 2017 at 4:00 AM

By Marla Ridenour Akron Beacon Journal

Perhaps the Cavaliers are banking on the LeBron James effect.

Friday night the Cavs added a second player to their second unit who is coming off the worst statistical season of his NBA career. A league source confirmed they agreed to terms of a one-year, $2.3 million contract with forward Jeff Green.

According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, James had "active conversations" with Green before Green's decision.

Green, 30, has played for four teams in the past three seasons. With the Orlando Magic in 2016-17, he averaged 9.2 points and 3.1 rebounds, both career lows.

That also fits the profile of Jose Calderon, who agreed to terms of a one-year deal with the Cavs on Saturday after averaging 3.4 points, 1.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists for the Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks last season. Calderon, 35, is slated to take over as the backup point guard.

Drafted fifth overall by the Boston Celtics in 2007, Green has posted career averages of 13.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists, and has shot 44 percent from the field and 33 percent from 3-point range.

At 6-foot-9, Green has the length and athleticism to help the Cavs defensively and can move to power forward in small lineups, which might have made him appealing to the Cavs.

Whether the Cavs will end up with guard Jamal Crawford is another matter.

Sent from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Hawks in a three-team sign-and-trade on Thursday, Crawford received a buyout from the Hawks, according to ESPN's Chris Haynes. Crawford had $17.2 million guaranteed remaining on his contract.

A source close to Crawford told Cleveland.com's Joe Vardon that Crawford was "Cleveland's to lose" on Friday. Vardon reported Thursday that Crawford had reached out to James.

But Vardon reported from the NBA summer league that Crawford, 37, wants all of the Cavs' available $5.2 million mid-level exception.

According to Vardon, that would prevent the Cavs from signing swingman Cedi Osman, a second-round draft pick in 2015 who has been playing in Turkey and is ready to make his NBA debut. Vardon reported that Osman is in Las Vegas spending time with the Cavs.

David Aldridge of NBA.com reported that the Cavs, Minnesota Timberwolves, Washington Wizards and Lakers were the top teams in pursuit of Crawford.

The eighth overall pick of the Cavs in 2000 who was traded to the Chicago Bulls on draft night, Crawford has averaged in double figures in each of the past 15 seasons.